Reports indicate that this was a global attack that has affected around 75,000 across 99 countries. In the UK this lead to hundreds of cancelled NHS procedures with many lives affected as staff were unable to access key data, while a number of schools and other organisations have also been affected.

What is Ransomware?

A ransomware attack takes control of a device and encrypts (or locks) the data upon it. This can only be unlocked if you know the password. At this point, the virus will then display a message demanding payment in exchange for the decryption (unlocking) of your data.